The man who transformed video games into a legitimate career path for motorsport has taken another step into the digital realm.

Darren Cox, former motorsport boss for Nissan and founder of the successful Nissan GT Academy series, has started what he describes as the first professional virtual race team in motorsport.

The eSPORT+CARS outfit aims to capitalise on the booming "eSports" industry which has seen video games progress from a hobby to a profession for thousands of elite players around the world.

Cox says the team "is a first step in professionalising motorsport in the virtual world".

"We want to use the team to shine a light on the huge opportunity that is virtual motorsport and we will do it by mirroring the approach of the best teams and brands in the real motorsport world," he says.

"Eventually we want to have the very best virtual drivers from around the globe, playing together across every platform, in every type of motor racing game; attending eSports events, working and competing as a team, engaging with fans as a team."

Drivers on Cox's team already compete in PC, PlayStation and Xbox tournaments for games including Forza Motorsport 6, GT Sport, rFactor and Project Cars.

While racing eSports is in its early stages, well-established contests for strategy and shooting games such as League of Legends, StarCraft and Counter-Strike attract plenty of spectators, both online and in live arena events.

The world's richest eSports tournament, played on the online multiplayer game Dota 2, offered $US18 million ($24m) in prize money last year, with the top team taking home well over $US6 million ($8m) for their efforts.

Cox says there is "untapped potential" in many gamers to inject more interest in real racing as well as giving people a chance to progress their careers.

Le Mans competitors Greaves Motorsport has been named as partners for eSPORT+CARS, suggesting that Cox's best drivers could have a shot at racing in the real world.